That Goshdarn Guadulpe...Help! :(

It could be justified and the US wanted it for those reasons in OTL. But then the treaty might have to give something to Mexico in return, if Mexico did do better in the war.
One that I always thought could happen, besides a larger monetary offer, is for Mexico to keep the Nueces Strip but give up a lot more empty land in the West including Baja, and a large northern chunk of Sonora and Chihuaha.
If Zachary Taylor is defeated at La Angostura then the Mexican Army could push northwards. Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas (besides the Nueces Strip) managed to stay free of American occupation for most of the war (this is what prompted Winfield Scott to open a second front through Veracruz). If Puebla does not declare neutrality, due to the polkos rebellion, the Scott would face greater resistance between Veracruz and Mexico City. This would allow the army stationed at La Angostura to go north rather than south. It can then join with the resistance at Nuevo Leon & Tamaulipas and push northwards until the fight crosses the Rio Grande.
Ultimately Puebla will fall and the fight will reach Mexico City. The Pacific blockade happens as in OTL so the US is actually in control of all Pacific ports minus Mansanillo (though its not really an important one). Once Mexico City falls to Scott even if the fight in the north crossed the Rio Grande Mexico would have to surrender. Stubborn Mexicans will demand the Nueces Strip and like in OTL Scott and Trist will develop some sympathy. The treaty will grant the Nueces Strip an official territory of Tamaulipas in exchange for the Gulf of Cali which includes Baja and a large northern chuck of Sonora.

BTW Scott was offered the Mexican Presidency and Citizenship by the interim government in Guanajuato after war. He could always accept it swear to the constitution of 1824. Scott puts the precedent of not reelecting or killing each head of state. Thus you have your stable government as early as 1850 (thats 27 years earlier than OTL). But this might be ASB and it would turn Mexico into a US protectorate but the Great War wont occur till 67 years later and anything can happen in 67 years to cause a schism. I think likely events to cause it include the Spanish - American war and the Venezuela Crisis of 1902 in which the US almost went to war with Germany.
I plan for...some reason, the randomness of war to favor the US HIGHLY in TTL version of the Mex-Am War. I like the idea of poart control very much, and 1850's is still the Age of Sail, so I think that will work for this.

To an extant of how badly Mexico is beaten, think American troops parading through Mexico City.

Or as close as I can get ASB.
 
To an extant of how badly Mexico is beaten, think American troops parading through Mexico City.

American Troops did parade through Mexico City in OTL. OTL's Mexican-American war was a series of random occurrences, mostly caused by whomever was in charge of Mexico at the time (it changed every two months or so), that greatly favored the American side.

It is not that hard to change it one way or the other.

Also not only did American troops parade through Mexico City in OTL but also the Mexican Spy Company. That was a group a vandals and thief's from Veracruz that Scott managed to organize into a counter guerilla group after paying Manuel Dominguez (their leader) a handsome price. Their involvement greatly undermined the possibility of guerrilla resistance. When they paraded alongside the American troops Mexico City broke into a three day riot. Most of the Spy Company was hanged or executed by nationalistic Mexicans and those who survived were given asylum in Texas and Louisiana.
 
American Troops did parade through Mexico City in OTL. OTL's Mexican-American war was a series of random occurrences, mostly caused by whomever was in charge of Mexico at the time (it changed every two months or so), that greatly favored the American side.

It is not that hard to change it one way or the other.

Also not only did American troops parade through Mexico City in OTL but also the Mexican Spy Company. That was a group a vandals and thief's from Veracruz that Scott managed to organize into a counter guerilla group after paying Manuel Dominguez (their leader) a handsome price. Their involvement greatly undermined the possibility of guerrilla resistance. When they paraded alongside the American troops Mexico City broke into a three day riot. Most of the Spy Company was hanged or executed by nationalistic Mexicans and those who survived were given asylum in Texas and Louisiana.
Oh.

Then think Mexico City being a war torn city...after the invasion by American troops. I'm thinking penetration quite far down south.
 
Top